Impact of A14 roadworks near Stowmarket on Haughley and Elmswell and businesses in Bury St Edmunds
Three months since major resurfacing work began on the A14, a business leader in a Suffolk town said he is very concerned about the detrimental impact it is having on footfall.
SuffolkNews has been speaking to representatives from the emergency services, parish councils and businesses to see how they have been affected by the roadworks near Stowmarket, which National Highways started in February.
National Highways is set to complete a total reconstruction of the A14 between junction 47a at Haughley, to junction 49 Tothill by summer 2024.
What impact are the roadworks having on buisnesses?
Mark Cordell chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds, which supports businesses and tourism in the town, said: “I am very concerned about the detrimental impact the A14 roadworks are having on our town and our businesses, particularly as these works are due to continue for over a year.
“At this time we have no specific data to confirm the anecdotal thoughts of our members that footfall is undoubtedly down.”
“I would urge people who would use the A14 to come to Bury from the east of the county to continue to do so as there are so many great reasons to visit our town.”
How have villages along the route been affected?
Haughley Parish Council said the main area of their village impacted by the roadworks is through Haughley New Street and Tot Hill, part of the old A45, which runs close to the existing main roadway of the A14.
Claire Pizzey, parish clerk for the village near Stowmarket, said: “Haughley Parish Council has received substantial anecdotal evidence of increased traffic through this area which is supported by evidence provided by speed indicator devices, installed by the parish council, and traffic count equipment.”
She said: “The evidence has identified a substantial increase of vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and cars, passing through Haughley New Street whilst the current works on the A14 have been ongoing.
“Residents have had to wait for extended periods just to leave their properties, whilst further damage has been identified, including to road verges.”
Villagers have also noticed an increase in traffic noise.
Highways England has written to Haughley’s residents confirming that they are monitoring the situation.
The parish council said they will continue to monitor traffic through the area and consult with the Highways Authority.
In a recent update National Highways said it has put two safety speed camera vans on roads typically being used as rat runs.
Rat running is when drivers use shortcuts, back roads and shortcuts to avoid traffic.
Extra signs have recently been placed in villages affected by rat running, caused by the roadworks and contraflow system.
In Elmswell, Peter Dow, parish council clerk, said the additional signs and speed vans around the village were helpful.
Mr Dow said there have been ‘pinch points’ in the village during rush hour, with Wetherden Road being particularly busy.
Kiln Lane and Warren Lane have also been used as shortcuts, however they are single track roads not designed for heavy use.
Mr Dow said though there have been collisions these have thankfully been minor due to slow moving traffic.
Describing the impact of the roadworks on his village, he said: “I don’t know how I would improve it, ultimately it is pain for gain.”
Once the resurfacing work is complete it should see a significant decrease in noise from the A14, due to the materials being used on the new carriageway.
“We look forward to the roadworks being finished, in the meantime we have to grin and bear it,” said Mr Dow.
He added that the parish council had been ‘very happy’ with the consultation process they had with National Highways.
Have the roadworks affected the emergency services and West Suffolk Hospital?
Suffolk Police said that so far the roadworks on the A14 have not had a negative impact on response times.
A spokesman said that their safety camera team are continuing to enforce speed limits at their usual locations.
However the team will be ‘completing slightly more frequent visits’ as a result of increased traffic.
A spokesman for the West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “The trust is aware of the ongoing A14 resurfacing roadworks and the disruption this is inevitably causing for some of our staff and patients.”
“We strongly encourage patients to allow sufficient travel time to avoid any traffic congestion resulting from the roadworks.
The spokesman for trust, which runs West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, continued: “If a patient is unable to attend their appointment, we urge them to inform us as soon as possible, enabling us to reschedule their appointment promptly.”
Discussing whether staff at the trust have been allowed to work from home, due to the roadworks, the spokesman said: “Where the requirements of their role enable it, staff at the trust are able to explore appropriate flexible and hybrid working options in discussion with their manager, which may include home working.”
The spokesman added that staff at the trust have been able to request hybrid working for several years: therefore this policy is not as a result of the roadworks.
